US ice hockey star responds to backlash over what he wore to White House visit
US ice hockey star Tage Thompson has responded after being criticised for his what he wore during the team's visit to the White House.
Thompson was part of the US men's team which beat Canada 2-1 to claim gold in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 46 years.
Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime to secure the triumph, which followed up the exact same result from the women's side in the gold medal match.
After the game, President Donald Trump surprised the team with a phone call while they were in the dressing room and the squad was then invited for a special visit to the Oval Office.
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Trump told the players, "I recognise every one of you" and even joked he would not return the gold medal Matthew Tkachuk allowed him to hold.
The team were decked out in attire which commemorated their triumph, with sweaters featuring the US flag and the Olympic ring.
However, Thompson, who scored in the semi-final against Slovakia, added a red 'Make America Great Again' hat made famous by Trump, to complete his look.
Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a picture of her, deputy director of communications Margo Martin and US Olympic heroes like Thompson.
His red hat featuring Trump's slogan caused a stir online but after returning to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 with a goal and an assist on Wednesday, he defended his decision.
"I'm proud to be an American, and I have my own faith, my own beliefs, and everyone's entitled to their own opinions and beliefs, as well," Thompson said after the game, as per Fox Sports.
"I think we should be able to live in peace knowing that not everyone's going to agree with you."
Not every member of the squad was in attendance for the visit, which also included a State of the Union address where Trump announced goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would be given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Five US men's stars missed White House visit
Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger and Kyle Connor were all absent.
It later emerged that that the players had returned to their NHL teams. Guentzel did get permission from the Tampa Bay Lightning to attend the visit but ultimately decided against it.
"I was definitely not denying the request to go," he said.
"It would obviously be a dream come true to go, I was fortunate to go in 2017 when Trump was in office.
"[But] we've got a lot of games coming up the rest of the year, it's going to be a tough schedule."
"So, two weeks of Olympic break, thought it would be good to come home, rest and recover and try to spend some time with my family before we get going."
Even with the controversial remarks made by Trump, the women's team also received a White House invite but were unable to attend due to "previously scheduled academic and professional commitments".
Topics: US Sports
Josh Lawless